How the test is performed

How to prepare for the test

Your health care provider will ask you to stop for a short time medicines that may affect the test results. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take. These include:

High blood pressure medicines

Heart medicines

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Antacid and ulcer medicines

Water pills (diuretics)

Do not stop taking any medicine before talking to your doctor.Your health care provider may recommend that you eat no more than 3 grams of salt (sodium) per day for at least 2 weeks before the test.

Or, your provider will recommend that you eat your usual amount of salt and also test the amount of sodium in your urine.

At other times, the aldosterone blood test is done right before and after you receive a salt solution (saline)through the vein (IV) for 2 hours. Be aware that other factors can affect aldosterone measurements, including:

Pregnancy

High- or low-sodium diet

Strenuous exercise

Stress

How the test will feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. These soon go away.

Why the test is performed

Aldosterone is a hormone released by the adrenal glands. It helps the body regulate blood pressure. Aldosterone increases the reabsorption of sodium and water and the release of potassium in the kidneys. This action raises blood pressure.

Aldosterone blood test is often combined with other tests, such as the renin hormone test, to diagnose over- or under-production of aldosterone.

Normal Values

Normal levels vary:

Between children, teens, and adults

Depending on whether you were standing, sitting, or lying down when the blood was drawn

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Revision

Last reviewed 9/1/2013 by Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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